Results

Only pDC were significantly reduced compared to age matched control but not MDC1, MDC2 or Slan DCs, despite a heavily treated patient group. Cytokine secretion of IL-12 and IL-10 were significantly decreased in MDC1s from GBM patients compared to healthy controls. Likewise healthy volunteers' MDC1's secretion of IL-12 was decreased when exposed to TL and DEX, while IL-10 increased when exposed to TL. This unfavourable profile was reversed by the p38i.

Conclusions

MDC1 are available in sufficient numbers to consider novel adoptive transfer in cancer vaccines for GBM patients. Functionally GBM patients' MDC1s secrete low IL-12, unfavourable for anti-cancer response, which may be due to DEX or tumour. A p38i can reverse this and thus a potential vaccine adjunct.